Saturday, June 23, 2012

A Coneflower Explosion

I have quite a lot of coneflowers, and I rather like them.  By 'a lot' I mean a lot of plants, not a lot of types.  Most of my plants are the straight species purple kind.  On the patio I have some 'White Swan', which I adore.  And in the front, a small 'Rocky Top', chosen for its unique up-curved petals.



I've not had much interest in all the specialty coneflowers - doubles, new colors, etc - up to now.  Last weekend I paid a short visit to the National Arboretum, and saw this:



(It was a super sunny day, so had trouble with photos.  These are actually much more colorful.)

Now I need more coneflowers.

~~~~~
Also at the arboretum,  a field of Amsonia hubrichtii:

a field of Amsonia mounds at the arboretum
Yes, a whole field.  I have a clump, the arboretum has a field.

my single clump of amsonia

Across the walk from the Amsonia are the Capitol columns.


Now that's garden art.
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8 comments:

  1. Gardener on Sherlock StreetJune 23, 2012 at 2:39 PM

    Garden art indeed!
    Those coneflower colors are great. I like the whole mix of them. I have white swan too. Recently, I discovered a volunteer coneflower...post coming on it! Yours look great.

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  2. Cherry LaneJune 23, 2012 at 3:46 PM

    Thanks. I look forward to seeing your volunteer.

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  3. A Brit in TennesseeJune 23, 2012 at 6:10 PM

    Your Coneflowers are spectacular, we have those same varieties, and despite the lack of rain, all seem to have spread further and further this year.
    Delightful blog !
    ~Jo

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  4. Casa MariposaJune 29, 2012 at 11:53 PM

    I love the arboretum! If you ever want to meet up, let me know. :o) Love your coneflowers! The Rocky Top's always bloom facing east, which is so cool. My White Swan are about to bloom. I had the Tiki Torch cultivar, but they pooped out on me this spring.

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  5. Cherry LaneJuly 5, 2012 at 9:52 PM

    CM: I learned about the east facing thing from your blog just recently! Turns out I planted these in exactly the wrong place - I'll never actually see them bloom unless I go around to the back side of the bed. And I'd love an arboretum meet-up!

    Brit: thanks for the compliments, and for visiting. I love how self-sufficient these plants are.

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  6. pqJuly 6, 2012 at 9:15 AM

    i can't believe i've never "done" the arboretum! i've been a couple of times for plant sales and to visit specific exhibits, but never toured the grounds. i need to remedy that!

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  7. Cherry LaneJuly 6, 2012 at 3:51 PM

    PQ - shame on you! Do I see a meetup in our future? You, me, and Casa Mariposa, some day when it's not sweltering hot. (so, uh, fall sometime?)

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  8. SwimrayJuly 7, 2012 at 10:42 PM

    I will recommend Coconut Lime for one of your future coneflowers. I have one that is three years old, and performs well almost all season.

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